Western Kentucky University vs ATA College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Western Kentucky University comes closer — median earnings $43,889 against a $43,960 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Western Kentucky University | ATA College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,990 | $28,611 |
| Total net cost | $43,960 | $57,222 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,889 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | $22,095 | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$133,380 | -$332,882 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Western Kentucky University or ATA College?
Western Kentucky University, at $10,990 a year after aid versus $28,611 — a gap of $17,621 a year, or $13,262 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Western Kentucky University or ATA College graduates earn more?
Western Kentucky University graduates report a median $43,889 ten years after entry, $9,312 more than the $34,577 at ATA College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Western Kentucky University or ATA College?
ATA College: its completers carry a median $21,030 in federal loans versus $22,095 at Western Kentucky University, a difference of $1,065. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
56% of students finish at Western Kentucky University, against 46% at ATA College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.